Our Favorite Healthy Finds: Gut Health

Your body contains approximately 39 trillion bacteria, most of which live in your intestines. You may have heard of these referred to as your gut microbiota.

Your gut microbiota plays an enormous role in regulating your body’s functioning, how you feel, and your overall health. And it also makes up about 70 percent of your immune system.

We caught up with Dr. Robynne Chutkan, author of “Gutbliss,” to find out what she recommends for making sure your gut health is in tip-top shape.

Dr. Chutkan’s Healthy Finds for Gut Health

1. Psyllium husk powder

Have constipation or bloating (or both!)? Psyllium husk could be helpful in getting things moving and reducing bloat. It acts like a broom, sweeping out built-up debris in the intestines, and promotes a daily detox. If you’ve never tried it, start slow, beginning with 1 teaspoon the first two weeks and increasing gradually each week by 1 teaspoon until symptoms subside.

2. Vitamix

One green smoothie (heavy on the greens, light on the fruit!) can provide half of your daily veggie intake… and they taste amazing when blended in a high-powered blender like a Vitamix. To get you started, check out Dr. Chutkan’s ultimate green smoothie recipe.

3. Community Supported Agriculture (CSA)

Offering local organic produce, CSA’s help promote beneficial gut bacteria growth and diversity by providing you with fiber-rich, nutrient-dense ingredients. Find a CSA in your community at LocalHarvest.

4. Squatty Potty

Putting your body in the correct anatomical position for full evacuation with a Squatty Potty just might be your answer to reaching stool nirvana. Elevating your feet on a stool while having a bowel movement relaxes the muscles in your pubic and rectal regions and unkinks the colon. This allows for a more complete evacuation.

5. Bentonite clay

Formed from volcanic ash, bentonite clay mixed with water serves as both a detoxifying agent (the clay acts like a magnet and attracts unwanted toxins in the body) and a natural bulk laxative. This makes it an effective solution for diarrhea.

6. Acacia fiber

Acacia fiber is a dietary fiber produced from the gum of the acacia tree. It helps regulate motility through the gastrointestinal tract and ease IBS symptoms, including constipation, diarrhea, and bloating.

Acacia’s prebiotic effect supports the growth of beneficial gut bacteria to help you grow a good gut garden. It dissolves completely in a small amount of water or any beverage. And best of all, it’s tasteless, odorless, and grit-free!

Empowering readers to take control of their digestive health, Dr. Robynne Chutkan’s book “Gutbliss” is an invaluable gut health resource and lays out a 10-day plan to ban bloat, flush toxins, and dump your digestive baggage!